Latta Leads Shock Over Mystics

Ivory Latta had a team-high 18 points and six rebounds to lead the Shock to their third win of the season as they defeated the Washington Mystics, 78-62, at the BOK Center on July 8.

With their third win of the season, the Shock matched their 2011 win total while improving to 2-2 in their last four games. Latta was complemented by Temeka Johnson and Glory Johnson who had 17 and 16 points respectively.

“We had energy all four quarters. We came out with a lot of energy in the first quarter, which contributed a lot to the other quarters," Latta said. "In our past games we didn’t have the energy in the first quarter. We played great defense, we rebounded the ball well but I’m really proud of the people that came off the bench and gave us a spark and played very well.”

After leading by just two, 18-16, after the first quarter, the Shock went on a 9-0 run from 5:20 until 2:54 in the second quarter to open a 34-25 lead. Tulsa held a 36-30 lead at halftime. It was the fourth time this season that Tulsa has led after the first two quarters.

“I was very pleased with the effort. We wanted to come out and sustain energy for 40 minutes and we did that," Head Coach Gary Kloppenburg said. "We felt like the last couple of games we had some lapses. Tonight we sustained our pressure defense all the way through. We made them take tough shots. We out-rebounded them and that’s a good rebounding team. We had 12 offensive boards to their six and forced 19 turnovers. That’s the type of effort we need to be able to get to keep ourselves in games and have a chance to win.”

Tulsa extended their lead to 57-48 after three quarters on the strength of seven third quarter points from Glory Johnson. Tulsa led for only the third time all season after the first three quarters. The Shock opened the fourth quarter on a 9-3 run which extended their lead to 67-51, their largest lead of the game to that point.

“It was something that we needed to do. We put a total effort together," Temeka Johnson said. "It all started with defensive energy. We’re a defensive team. It starts and ends with me. I wanted to come out and bring some more on the defensive end starting with energy. We did that collectively as a group.”

The win was the first for the Shock against an Eastern Conference opponent. All three Shock wins have come at home this season.

“It was at total team effort. Glory played well, Ivory played well, Riquna came in and did well off the bench. Everybody that came in gave some productive minutes and that’s what we need collectively throughout the rest of the season.”